Gus Paulos

It takes a big man to poke fun at his own small stature. And by all accounts, Gus Paulos was a big man.

Paulos, famous for his top-of-the-head television commercials, died on New Year's Day at age 64. And with his passing, other aspects of the man are now coming to light. With some lives, that might be a bit unnerving. But with Paulos, it has been welcome news.

The grandchild of Greek immigrants and an heir to the automobile business, Paulos served in World War II as a Marine, attended the University of Utah, then dedicated himself to the automobile business, which he grew into something said to be worth $100 million.

Paulos was well-known for his sunny style as a salesman, but it was away from the lot where he left his true mark. He personalized his relationships with employees and took special care of family and friends. Going into business requires a thick skin and an optimistic outlook. Paulos had both. And as his fortunes improved, he tried to improve the fortunes of others. Good auto dealer that he was, he tried to give everybody around him a lift. Time Magazine recognized that trait and honored him with a humanitarian award. At the Deseret Morning News, where curbing DUI offenses has been the focus for several years, the work Paulos did to help diminish the death and mayhem caused by drunken drivers has been especially noted and appreciated. His battle with cancer revealed his nature. In the worst of times, he kept the best attitude, contributing to charities and trying to keep his eye on the future. As Elbert Hubbard once wrote, "The art of winning in business lies in working hard and not taking yourself too seriously."

Gus Paulos was a business success.

In typical fashion, he asked that people contribute to help battle cancer rather than send flowers. But we at the Deseret Morning News couldn't help passing along this bouquet to a man who not only made people more mobile, he made them better people.